OREANDA-NEWS. June 11, 2010. Vladimir Yakunin, president of Russian Railways, held a conference call on the Company’s May 2010 results, reported the press-centre of Russian Railways.

"The average daily load in May 2010 was 3.328 million tons, up 12.7% on last year’s level. We met our plans for the whole network and all the individual branches," said Vladimir Yakunin.

According to the latest figures, passenger numbers were down 13.3% in the first five months of 2010compared to their level in the same period last year. Long-distance passengers fell by 5.8% and suburban commuters by more than 30%.

"Since the beginning of the year the decline in long-distance passenger numbers has been slowing. In IQ2010, passenger numbers compared to last year were down 9%, in April 5% and in May 4.7%," said Yakunin, who also noted that capacity utilisation of rolling stock in May had increased 0.3% compared to last year to reached 73.3%.

Vladimir Yakunin said long-distance passengers during the summer season should exceed last year’s level by 1-1.5%.